US4100842A - Apparatus for forming a container - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for forming a container is provided wherein the container is comprised of a side wall having a top bead and also a bottom member secured to the side wall with the side wall being formed from a blank which is wrapped with convolute form having side marginal portions overlapped and secured together. The apparatus includes means for forming the bottom member from a bottom member blank with the formed bottom member being carried by conveying means to various stations of the apparatus. A side wall feeder feeds side wall blanks through a side wall heater and to the conveying means for conveying thereby. A side wall wrapper is provided to wrap the side wall blank in convolute form about a mandrel and bottom member and secure overlapping marginal portions. A heater is provided to heat a bottom portion of the side wall blank and the bottom member so that same can be secured together during a container bottom forming operation by a bottom former which rolls a bottom portion of the side wall blank in overlapping relation to a skirt on the bottom member and then a bottom crimper is provided for finishing the bottom. The container in this form is then transferred to another conveying means which is operable to convey the partially completed container to a bead-forming means for forming a bead on the upper edge of the container. After this, the container is complete and ready for use.

Description

Many apparatuses are known in the art for manufacturing containers, particularly containers formed from paperboard or coated paperboard or the like. The present invention provides an improved such apparatus which is adapted for high speed operation as, for example, at 90 containers per minute. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly well adapted for forming tapered containers but can also be used with slight modification to form cylindrical containers. The apparatus includes improved bottom forming means, side wall feeding means, side wall wrapping means, and bead forming means which are the areas in which most problems are encountered in currently available container-forming apparatuses.

For example, in the formation of tapered side wall containers a problem has been encountered in formation of a bottom member and inserting same into a formed side wall with the problem becoming increasingly difficult as the degree of taper of the side wall increases. Several methods and apparatuses have been devised to attempt to overcome this problem and the present apparatus provides an alternative means for solving this problem.

The apparatus also includes an improved side wall feeding mechanism which preferably is of the top feed type which does not require shutting down of the apparatus for filling of the magazine as is normally encountered in the top feed type feeding mechanisms.

In the formation of a convoluted side wall type container a side wall wrapping mechanism is provided which will effect overlapping of side marginal portions of the side wall blank so that same can be secured together in the overlapping margins. The present invention provides a side wall wrapping mechanism which not only consistently produces overlapped side marginal portions but is also quiet in operation and has a minimum of play or slack in the various moving portions.

The formation of beads on the top of a partially completed container is of importance because the bead must be accurately formed so as to insure a good fit with a lid which is to be placed thereon. Many apparatuses are known in the art for forming the bead but result in improperly or incompletely formed beads which result in the formation of a scrap part with the attendant cost problems. The bead former of the present invention provides consistent high quality beads or rolled rims with a resulting decrease in the scrap rate.

The principal objects and advantages of the present are: to provide an apparatus for forming containers at high speeds with a minimum of scrap; to provide such an apparatus with improved operating portions, e.g., a bottom former, a blank feeder, a side wall wrapper and a bead former; to provide such an apparatus which is simple in operation and construction requiring a minimum of maintenance and which is inexpensive to construct; and to provide such an apparatus which is well adapted for its intended use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus used for forming containers.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the container forming apparatus showing means for forming bottom members.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of means for forming bottom members.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the container forming apparatus showing container portions.

FIG . 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a die and plunger arrangement used to form a bottom member from a blank showing the bottom member in one stage of formation.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a second stage of formation of the bottom member.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing bottom member in a third stage of formation.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a formed bottom member positioned in a mandrel after forming.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a container formed by the container forming apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a feeder mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the feeder mechanism as seen from the feed end thereof.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational fragmentary view of the feed means.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the feed apparatus as seen from the opposite side of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the feed apparatus and a storage magazine.

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the storage magazine.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the magazine taken along theline 17--17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the magazine taken along theline 18--18 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a control system used to control the operation of the various parts of the feeder magazine.

FIG. 20 is a plan view, partly in cross-section, of the mechanism of a side wall wrapping apparatus in an open position.

FIG. 21 is a plan view, partly in cross-section, of the mechanism of the side wall wrapping apparatus in the closed position.

FIG. 22 is a partial elevational view in cross-section taken along theline 22--22 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along theline 23--23 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along theline 24--24 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a portion of an apparatus used for forming beads on a container with the portion being a container receiving receptacle with portions thereof broken away to show structural details thereof with the forming head and ring being shown in a non-bead forming position.

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 showing the forming head and ring cooprating to start the formation of the rolled bead or rim.

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIGS. 25 and 26 showing the forming head and ring in a position which has completed the formation of the rolled rim.

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary view of a lubricator used to lubricate an upper edge of a container blank.

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary perspective view of a latch and latch release means which cooperate with the ring.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, thereference numeral 1 designates generally an apparatus for the forming or manufacture of containers such as thecontainer 2. Theapparatus 1 includes a bottom blank ordisc feeder 3 which is operable to formbottom members 4 for thecontainer 2. Thefeeder 3 feeds and positions bottom blanks prior to subsequent forming operations by other portions of theapparatus 1. Theapparatus 1 includes a multiplehead turret arrangement 5 which conveys various portions of the container in different stages of completion from one station to another station for different forming operations. As shown, the different stations include a side wall feeder means 6 from whichside wall blanks 12 are fed to a suitableside wall heater 7 for heating side marginal portions thereof after which same are fed to one of the mandrels or heads on theturrent 5. A clamp member 8 holds the side wall blank 12 on one of the mandrels which carries a bottom member in the end thereof as described herein below for subsequent forming. A side wall wrapping means 11 is operable to wrap or convolute theside wall blanks 12 around the mandrel to form aside wall 10 of thecontainer 2. Indexing of theturret 5 then moves themandrel 9 having the wrapped side wall thereon and the bottom member carried thereby to abottom heater 13 which is operable to heat thebottom member 4 and portions of theside wall 12 after which the mandrel is indexed to a bottom former 14 which folds a portion of the bottom of the container side wall in overlapping relation with a skirt portion of thebottom member 4 for later securing of same together. After this step, the partially completed container is then moved to a bottom crimper means 15 where the fold made by the bottomformer means 14 is compressed preferably by fluted rollers, as is known in the art, to ensure engagement between the container side wall and the skirt of the bottom member. After the crimping, the partially completed container is then indexed to a point for discharge into another conveying means such as anindexable turret 16 which has a plurality ofcontainer receiving receptacles 17. Movement of theturret 16 moves the partially completed containers carried in the receptacles to a top bead orrim forming device 18 which is operble to form abead 19 on one end of thecontainer 2. Further indexing of theturret 16 moves thereceptacle 17 containing a completed container to a position for ejection through anejector 20 for ejection from theapparatus 1.

The above is a general description of theapparatus 1 with the various component parts being more fully described herein below. Certain portions of the apparatus are known in the art as, for example, thebottom heater 13, the bottom former 14 and thebottom crimper 15 and detailed descriptions of same are not included herein since same are known in the art and are incorporated herein by reference. The present apparatus is particularly well adapted for the manufacture of polymeric-coated paperboard containers which have a tapered sidewall with the bottom or closed end having a smaller diameter than the open upper end. However, it is to be noted that the present invention can also be used to manufacture containers having cross-sections other than circular and oppositely tapered or untapered containers of any suitable material.

Thebottom member 4 is best seen in FIGS. 3-9, inclusive. As shown,bottom blanks 21 are fed to a forming die 22 by suitable means. In the illustrated structure the means include asupport member 23 which has astorage magazine 25 formed by a plurality ofupstanding members 24 and adapted to store a plurality ofbottom blanks 21.Tracks 26 are provided along whichbottom blanks 21 are moved from themagazine 25 to thedie 22 such as by engagement withfingers 27. Thefingers 27 are mounted on acarriage 28 which is slidably mounted on bearing rods orways 29 with thecarriage 28 being movable in response to actuation of alink 30 which is moved by power means (not shown) such as a pneumatic cylinder or other means such as a lever arm operable by the main drive shaft of the machine. The illustrated structure for feeding the bottom blanks and theextendable ram 56 are suitably supported on the frame (not shown) of theapparatus 1 such as bymembers 20. Movement of thecarriage 28 in one direction indexes a bottom blank 21 into a position between the die 22 andplunger arrangement 34 as later described. Movement of the carriage in the opposite direction effects retraction of thefingers 27 so as to be out of engagement with a respective bottom blank and upon return of thecarriage 28 thefingers 27 are extended by means (not shown) for engagement once again with a bottom blank 21.

Preferably, thedie 22 is mounted on thesupport 23 and has open ends 32 and 33 whereby a bottom blank 21 is moved into position adjacent theopen end 32 by movement of thecarriage 28. Thedie 22 has a plurality of different size forming areas as does aplunger arrangement 34 whereby thedie 22 andplunger 34 cooperate to form abottom member 4 from a bottom blank 21. As shown, thedie 22 has a throughbore 35 with the plurality of forming areas, in the illustrated structure, being two in number and are denoted by thereference numerals 37 and 38. It is to be noted, however, that any number, two or more, of different sized areas can be provided in thedie 22. Preferably, thebore 35 is transversely circular whereby the formingareas 37 and 38 have different diameters with thearea 37 being larger in diameter than thearea 38.Radiused corners 39 and 40 are provided for each of theareas 37 and 38, respectively, to provide a smooth lead-in for each of the areas. Preferably, a recess orannular groove 41 is positioned between thearea 37 andarea 38 and has a diameter larger than either of the areas. Thegroove 41 provides clearance for portions of thebottom member 4 to facilitate the forming operation as later described. Acircumferential flange 42 is provided on the exterior of the die 22 to facilitate mounting of same on thesupport 23.

Theplunger arrangement 34 in the illustrated structure includes a plurality of relatively movable portions having different sizes to cooperate with the different sized formingareas 37 and 38. As shown, the plunger arrangement includes afirst plunger 44 and asecond plunger 45. Preferably, thesecond plunger 45 is carried by theplunger 44 and has means cooperating therewith to move same independently of theplunger 44. As shown, theplunger 44 is provided with a cylinder-formingbore 46 which has aplunger receiving pocket 47 adjacent the open end thereof. Theplunger 45 is sized to be received in thepocket 47 for its retracted position and has arod 48 extending through a bore through abearing block 49 and has a piston-formingend 50 received within thebore 46 forming a pneumatic extendable ram. Aspring 51 is positioned between the bearingblock 49 and thepiston end 50 to effect return of thepiston 45 to its retracted position in thepocket 47. Anair passage 52 communicates with thebore 46 and is operable to supply pressurized air thereto for extension or movement of thepiston 45 from thepocket 47 as described below. Extension or movement of theplunger 45 is limited by astop 53, secured to thepiston end 50, when it engages the bearingblock 49 which is retained against movement by akeeper 55.

Theplunger arrangement 34 has means cooperating therewith to effect movement of same into and out of thedie 22. As shown, theplunger arrangement 34 is mounted on anextendable ram 56 as by threaded engagement with apiston rod 57. In the illustrated structure, extension of theram 56, which preferably is a pneumatic ram, effects movement of theplunger arrangement 34 into the die 22 with the movement of theplunger 44 being limited so that movement will terminate just prior to entering the formingarea 38. Pressurized air is supplied the cylinder-formingbore 46 to then extend theplunger 45 through the formingarea 38 and into a bottommember receiving pocket 59 in amandrel 9. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, thepocket 59 opens or faces generally toward theplunger arrangement 44 and die 22 when themandrel 9 is adjacent thefeeder 3. As shown, themandrel 9 has anejector 60 movably mounted in thepocket 59 with anactuator rod 61 extending through a bore in themandrel 9 for selective movement of the ejector by means (not shown). Preferably, theejector 60 has a diameter less than the diameter of thepocket 59 for a purpose to be later described.

The present invention is more fully understood by a description of the operation thereof. At the start of operation of theapparatus 1, withplunger arrangement 34 spaced from the formingarea 37 and theplunger 45 retracted intopocket 47, a bottom blank 21 is fed beteeen die 22 andplunger arrangement 34 adjacent theopen end 32. Theram 56 is then actuated to extend or move theplunger arrangement 34 to a position whereby theplunger 44 is in engagement with the bottom blank 21. As best seen in FIG. 6, theplunger 44 forces the bottom blank 21 into the formingarea 37, forming the bottom blank 21 intobottom member 4 with abottom panel 65 and a dependingskirt 66 and a first fold or scoreline 67 therebetween. As best seen in FIG. 7, further movement of theplunger 44 moves thebottom member 4 to a position where theskirt 66 is received within thegroove 41 to substantially eliminate frictional engagement between portions of thedie 22 andplunger 44 and theskirt 66 to facilitate further movement of thebottom member 4. Movement of theplunger 44 is limited or terminated such as by limiting the stroke of theram 56.

As best seen in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, after movement of theplunger 44 is terminated, pressurized air is supplied to the cylinder-formingbore 46 to effect extension of theplunger 45 through the formingarea 38. Because the formingarea 38 has a smaller diameter than the formingarea 37, a second fold or scoreline 68 is formed on thebottom member 4 and is positioned inside of thescore line 67 and preferably is concentric therewith. Further movement of theplunger 45 moves thebottom member 4 into thepocket 59 whereby the diameter of thescore line 68 is substantially equal to or just slightly less than the diameter of thepocket 59. Preferably theplunger 44 is spaced from the surface defining the formingarea 37 and theplunger 45 is spaced from the surface defining the forming area 38 a distance substantially equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the bottom blank 21. It is to be noted that thesmaller fold line 68 allows easy insertion of thebottom member 4 into thepocket 59 and thelarger fold line 68 allows intimate contact of theskirt 66 with thesidewall 10 as described below. After inserting thebottom member 4 into thepocket 59, theplunger 44 and 45 are retracted from thedie 22 andpocket 59. Referring to FIG. 2, with thebottom member 4 in position in thepocket 59, themandrel 9 is moved to a position adjacent thesidewall heater 7 and sidewall feeder whereby a sidewall blank 12 is suitably moved into engagement with themandrel 9 and held there by the clamp 8. After this operation, themandrel 9 is then indexed to thesidewall wrapper 11 which is operable to convolute or wrap the sidewall around themandrel 9 forming an overlap orseam 70. The overlapping portions of the sidewall blank 12 are secured together in any suitable manner such as by adhesion of the sidewall coating such as polyethylene to join same as at 71 and thereby form thesidewall 10. At best seen in FIG. 5, a portion of thesidewall 10 extends past the end of themandrel 9 and when themandrel 9 is indexed to thebottom heater 13, theejector 60 is actuated to move thebottom member 4 out of thepocket 59 whereby theskirt 66 flares outwardly with thescore line 68 having a diameter substantially equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of thecontainer 2 at the point at which movement of thebottom member 4 is terminated. It is seen that the diameter of theejector 60 is small enough so as not to engage thesidewall 10 during ejection of thebottom member 4. Thebottom member 4, particularly theskirt 66 and the lower portion of thesidewall 10 are heated by thebottom heater 13 and are then moved to the bottom former 14 whereby same are secured together as by adhesion of the coating therebetween. The bottom former 14 also reverse bends alower portion 74 of thesidewall 10 to partially overlie aninterior surface 75 of theskirt 66. As best seen in FIG. 10, thebottom member 4 has theexterior surface 76 of theskirt 66 secured to theinterior surface 77 of thesidewall 10 and theinterior surface 75 of theskirt 66 is also secured to asurface portion 78 of theinterior surface 77. The finished container is then indexed to a position for ejection into thecontainer receiving member 17 of theturret 16 after which abead 19 is formed on the open end of thecontainer 2 by the top bead former 18.

As best seen in FIGS. 11 through 19, the reference numeral 6 designates generally an apparatus for supplying and feeding sheets of material to a point of use which is illustrated is amandrel 9 carrying abottom member 4. The apparatus 6 includes a feeding means 102. The feeding means 102 includes asupport 105 of any suitable type and can be a portion of or secured to a portion of themachine 1 which uses the sheets fed thereto. The feeding means 102 includes ameans 106 for individually removing a blank 12 from astack 108 thereof (see FIG. 13). In the illustrated structure the feed means 102 includes first and second arm means 109 and 110, respectively, which are pivotally mounted on thesupport 105 in any suitable manner as, for example, by the first arm means being pivotally mounted on a shaft 111 and the second arm means being pivotally mounted on ashaft 112. Preferably theshafts 111 and 112 are rotatably mounted on thesupport 105. The arm means 109 and 110 extend in a generally horizontal plane and have ends 114 and 115 pivotably mounted onshafts 123 and 122, respectively. Although other arrangements are feasible, the illustrated structure shows that each of the arm means is comprised of a spaced apart pair of arms wherein the first arm means 109 includesarms 116 and 117 and the second arm means 110 includes arms 118 and 119. The pivotal mounting can be by any suitable means and, as shown, theshaft 122 is rotatable within the arms 118 and 119 and thearms 116 and 117 are rotatable about fixedshaft 123. A throat-supportingmember 120 is also pivotally mounted onshaft 122 by connectingmembers 120A. Themember 120, which as shown, includes the connectingmembers 120A andend plates 121, form a rigid link between the first and second arm means 109 and 110 whereby the first and second arm means 109 and 110,member 120 andsupport 105, form a four bar linkage arrangement which has the components thereof movable relative to one another. Counterbalance means is provided to help support the weight of the first and second arm means 109 and 110 and the parts carried thereby to reduce the downward force applied by same to thestack 108. Any suitable means can be provided and, as shown, a plurality ofsprings 125 extend between a portion of thesupport 105 and the first and second arm means 109 and 110.

The feeding means 102, as shown, includes arotatable friction member 127 which preferably is suitably mounted on theshaft 123 and is shown as a wheel which has aperipheral friction surface 128 which is engageable with a blank 12 for selectively feeding same to portions of conveying means described below. As is known in the art, thefriction member 127 is provided with a recessed or reduceddiametral portion 129 wherein the spacing between the enlarged diametral portion and the reduced diametral portion is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of one blank whereby thefriction member 127 can be continually rotated while selectively and sequentially feeding a blank to portions of the conveying means. Thefriction member 127 is attached to a hub 127A andsprocket 131 for rotation about thenonrotatable shaft 123 and operably connected to a drive means for effecting rotation of thefriction member 127. In the illustrated structure the chain and sprocket drive arrangement is provided to positively drive thefriction member 127 synchronously with other portions of the apparatus 6. Thechain 130 is operably engaged withsprockets 131 and 132 and thesprocket 132 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 111 for rotation with the shaft 111. Preferably, the shaft 111 is driven by asprocket 134 connected by achain 136 to a sprocket 135 and since rotation of the shaft 111 should be synchronized with rotation of various other portions of the apparatus as described hereinbelow, a chain and sprocket drive arrangement connects the shaft 111 to the main drive via theshaft 112. A sprocket 137 is also mounted on the opposite end ofshaft 112, as best seen in FIG. 13 and achain 138 connects the sprocket 137 to a main drive (not shown) of the apparatus.

As shown, themember 120 has a throat-forming member orportion 140 thereon and preferably projects above an upper edge of themember 120 as best seen in FIG. 12 and is spaced from the large diametral portion of thefriction member 127 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of one blank 12 so that only one blank can be fed through a throat formed between thewheel 127 and themember 140. Because a four-link linkage arrangement is formed between the first and second arm means 109 and 110, themember 120 and thesupport 105, the angular position of themember 120 and hence theportion 140 thereof, remain in substantially the same angular position relative to a fixed plane throughout pivoting movement of the first and second arm means 109 and 110 and themember 120. This will occur if theshafts 111 and 112, 122 and 123 are positioned to form a parallelogram of the arm means 109 and 110,member 120 andsupport 105 which is the preferred embodiment of this invention. Preferably theportion 140 travels in a generally vertical plane throughout the pivoting movement of the first and second arm means 109 and 110. Such movement helps prevent missed feeds of theblanks 12. It is to be noted, however, that theportion 140 will move slightly in a horizontal plane relative to thestack 108 during pivoting movement of the first and second arm means 109 and 110. However, it has been found that this slight horizontal movement is not detrimental to the feeding efficiency of the apparatus.

The blank 12 after being fed through the throat is picked up by conveying means to transfer same to a point of use from the stack or source of blanks. In the form shown, the conveying means includes at least onefriction conveying member 142 and a positive drive means 143. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, there are a plurality offriction members 142, which can be flexible rubber belts, each operably connected to a respective pair ofpulleys 144. Preferably, thepulleys 144 include two pulleys rigidly mounted on theshaft 112 to be driven thereby and two pulleys rigidly mounted to rotate with theshaft 122. The pick-up or infeed end of thebelts 142 is positioned adjacent thethroat member 140. The positive drive means 143, as shown, includes a pair ofchains 146 each having a plurality of abutments ordogs 147 secured thereto in spaced apart relation with the spacing between theabutments 147 being greater than the width of a blank 12 at the point of contact therewith. Preferably, thechains 146 are driven by shaft 111 at a speed less than the speed of thebelts 142 whereby frictional engagement of thebelts 142 with a blank 12 urges the leading edge of theblanks 12 into engagement with a leadingabutment 147 to retain the blanks in a proper indexed position. Pairs ofsprockets 148 and 149 each have a respective chain operably engaged therewith wherein preferably thesprockets 148 are rotatable about theshaft 123 and thesprockets 149 are secured to the shaft 111 and are driven thereby. This synchronizes thefriction member 127 with the movement of theabutments 147 to assure proper feeding of theblanks 12.

Preferably, there is a second portion to the conveying means which will receive a blank 12 from the chain and belt arrangement described above for further conveying of the side wall blank. After discharge from the first portion of the conveying means a second conveying means 151 receives the blank 12 and feeds same to a point of use as, for example, a container-forming apparatus. The conveying means 151 should accurately position the side wall blank 12 and retain same in a predetermined position so that theend use apparatus 1 can pick same up from an accurately determined position whereby the blank can be properly processed for an end use. In the illustrated structure, the conveying means 151 includes means forming a blank guide whereby the blank is held in a predetermined (as shown) horizontal position. The guide means as shown includes spaced apart bars 152 and 153 with two spaced apart pairs of the bars being provided for supporting opposite sides of the blank 12. The blank 12 rests on thebars 153 and upward movement of the blank is prohibited or prevented by thebars 152. Acarriage 155 is movably mounted onguides 156 for longitudinal reciprocal movement. Theguides 156 are supported on the frame of the machine with the carriage being operably connected to the main drive (not shown) by anarm 157 so that thecarriage 155 can be moved synchronously with the first portion of the conveying means described above. As best seen in FIGS. 13 and 15, movement to the right of thecarriage 155 will move a side wall blank toward a point of use. The conveying means 151 also includes a reciprocally mountedtransfer mechanism 158 which is mounted on thecarriage 155 for movement therewith. The transfer mechanism has means for moving same generally normal to the direction of travel of the carriage 155 (vertically as seen in FIG. 13) and as shown this means includes an extendable andretractable ram 159 mounted on thecarriage 155. Asupport 160 is secured to theram 159 and has a pair of spaced apartupstanding fingers 161 secured thereto. During forward or feeding movement of thecarriage 155 theram 159 is extended from the position shown in FIG. 13 whereby thefingers 161 engage the blank 12 and thecarriage 155 moves thesidewall 12 held betweenbars 152 and 153 to the point of use. As seen in FIG. 12, there is a pair of thetransfer mechanisms 158 each positioned on an opposite side of the feeding means 102 so that thefingers 161 will engage opposite ends of the blank 12. During feeding or forward movement of thecarriage 155, the blank is fed to a position for use while being accurately positioned by thefingers 161 and thebars 152 and 153. After the fed side wall blank is picked up by another portion of a using apparatus thefingers 161 are moved to a retracted or down position and thecarriage 155 is then retracted or moved back to a start position whereby the transfer mechanisms are ready to be extended to pick up another side wall blank 12 for feeding.

Preferably, thesidewall heater 7 of any suitable type, such as those already known in the art, is positioned in the second portion of the conveying means for heating selected portions of the blank 12.

Preferably, and as shown, asuitable brake 163 which is pivotally mounted on thebar 152 is positioned relative to a side wall blank 12 passing thereunder to prevent the blank 12 from moving backward when it is being picked up by the using machines. Such brakes are known in the art and need not be further described herein. Also, the first conveying means is provided with hold-down apparatus which will prevent a blank 12 from moving out of frictional engagement with thebelts 142. This is best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12. As friction means 127 first moves a sidewall blank 12 forward, it engagesbelts 142 between the lower surface ofrollers 162 and the upper surface ofbelt 142.Rollers 162 are preferably biased downward such as by a spring (not shown) insidetubes 164 supported bybracket 169 attached to the top ofarms 117. Aweighted pivot arm 165 is pivotally mounted on each of thearms 116 and 117 and preferably has aroller 166 on the end thereof whereby the weight of thearms 165 androller 166 retain the side wall blank in frictional engagement with thebelts 142. As sidewall blank 12 moves forward to the end ofbelts 142, it is guided betweenbars 152 and 153 by fixedrollers 173 attached to bar 152. As best seen in FIG. 14, one or more idler pulleys can be mounted on thesupport 105 to help adjust slack out of thechain 136.Idlers 167 are each rotatably mounted on arespective arm 168 which in turn is secured to a portion of thesupport 105 in a manner so that same can be easily adjusted.

The feeding means 102 is provided with means for selectively allowing feed or no feed operation. In the illustrated structure, as best seen in FIGS. 11 and 13, this means includes anarm 170 pivotally mounted on theshaft 123. The arm has a portion 171 with a roller 172 mounted thereon which is selectively engageable with the top blank 12 on thestack 108. The arm has asecond portion 174 which in turn is connected to an extendable and retractable ram 175 which selectively effects pivoting movement of thearm 170 on theshaft 123. The ram 175 preferably is mounted on thesupport 105 as, for example, aclevis mount 176 pivotally secured to abracket 177. The rod portion of the ram 175 is then pivotally connected to theportion 174. Extension of the ram moves the arm 171 downwardly and the roller 172 into engagement with the top blank thereby elevatingshaft 123 and the first and second arm means 109 and 110 so that thefriction member 127 is out of feed engagement with the top blank 12 of thestack 108. Retraction of the ram 175 moves the roller 172 out of engagement with the top blank 12 thereby allowing feeding engagement between thefriction member 127 and a blank 12. By regulating the pressure on the retraction side of the ram 175, a force adjustment can be accomplished to adjust the force applied to the top blank 12 by thefriction member 127.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention thestorage magazine 103 is as described below. Themagazine 103 includes aframework 185 which includes cross braces 186, 187, 188 and 189 and a plurality ofupstanding supports 190. Theframework 185 can be made of any suitable material such as structural angles.Plates 191, 192, and 193 can be secured to thebraces 186, 188, and 189, respectively. A pair ofwall forming members 194 and 195 are secured in theframework 185 in a suitable manner and, as shown, extend between theplates 191 and 192 and are suitably secured thereto. Thewalls 194 and 195 are spaced apart and positioned relative to one another to receive astack 108 ofblanks 12 therein and form a generally vertically positioned stack wherein thewalls 194 and 195 prevent lateral movement of the blanks. Preferably, aportion 196 of thewall 194 is in hinged relation to the remainder of thewall 194 so that same can be moved between open and closed positions to facilitate loading of blanks. Asuitable lock 198 selectively prevents movement of theportion 196 about thehinge 197.

Thestorage magazine 103 includes two elevator means 200 and 201 which are in generally vertical alignment relative to one another with theelevator 200 being a lower elevator and theelevator 201 being an upper disposed elevator. The elevator means 200 and 201 cooperate with one another in a manner described below. Although several modes of operating cooperation can be accomplished, a preferred mode is that blanks are fed from the stack supported by the elevator means 200 until a predetermined up position is reached by theelevator 200 at which time the elevator means 201 continues to feed the blanks to the feeding means 6 while the elevator means 200 is returning to a fill position for replenishment of the supply of blanks. Upon replenishment the elevator means 200 is actuated and moves upwardly and at a predetermined up position a portion of the elevator means 201 is actuated allowing a portion of the stack carried by the elevator means 201 to join the stack of blanks carried by theelevator 200 at which point theelevator 200 continues upward movement for feeding of blanks to the feeding means 102. This will cause a minimum of missed feeds thereby still resulting in an efficient feeding means 102.

In the illustrated structure the elevator means 200 includes aplatform 202 which is movably mounted in theframework 185 as, for example, by having a brace orsupport 203 secured thereto and means for selectively effecting reciprocating vertical movement thereof. As shown, thesupport 203 is movably mounted on a guide or slide 204 whereinrollers 205 and 206, which are rotatably mounted on a portion of the support, engage theslide 204. Therollers 205 are spaced from the roller 206 a distance sufficient to stabilize thesupport 203 during movement. An opening 207 is provided in thewall member 195 and provides clearance for a portion of thesupport 203 extending through the opening 207 so that thesupport 203 andplatform 202 can move therein vertically. Power means is provided to cooperate with thesupport 203 to effect movement thereof and, as shown, the power means includes an extendable and retractablepneumatic ram 209 which preferably is double acting and is mounted on theframework 185. Theram 209 has arod portion 210 thereof engageable with anupstanding portion 211 of thesupport 203 whereby extension and retraction of theram 209 effects vertical movement of theplatform 202 andsupport 203 and is guided by the roller and slide arrangement. Preferably, theplatform 202 is shaped similar to the shape of theblanks 12 carried thereby and as shown has a pair ofopposed cutouts 212 and 213 for a purpose to be later described. Thecutouts 212 and 213 are sized and positioned so that a portion of theblanks 12 extends over each of the cutouts.

The elevator means 201 is best seen in FIG. 17 and is positioned generally above the elevator means 200. In the illustrated structure the elevator means 201 includes a pair ofjaws 215 and 216 mounted on acarriage 217. The jaws are shaped and positioned so as to have portions received withinrespective cutouts 212 and 213 and are adapted to be selectively moved from an expanded position to a retracted position, i.e., within therespective cutouts 212 and 213 so as to be under a portion of blanks carried by theplatform 202. In the illustrated structure thecarriage 217 has thejaws 215 and 216 pivotally mounted thereon as bypivots 219 and 220, respectively. Any suitable type of pivot can be used. The means for moving thejaws 215 and 216 between the expanded and retracted positions is best seen in FIG. 15 and is shown partially in broken lines as same is hidden behind a portion of thecarriage 217. Thejaws 215 and 216 each have anarm portion 221 and 222, respectively.Links 223 and 224 are pivotally connected to therespective arms 221 and 222 in any suitable manner with each of the links having an end portion thereof pivotally connected to each other as at 225. Power means is provided to effect operation of thejaws 215 and 216 and, as shown, apneumatic ram 226 is carried or mounted on a portion of thecarriage 217 as by a bracket 227 with the ram having themovable rod portion 228 thereof pivotally connected to thelinks 223 and 224 at thepivot 225 as by a clevis 229. Retraction of theram 226 will effect expansion of thejaws 215 and 216 and extension of theram 226 will effect retraction of thejaws 215 and 216 to the position as shown in FIG. 15. Thejaws 215 and 216 form a platform on which a stack ofblanks 12 can be supported for upward movement to the feed means 102.

Means is provided to effect vertical reciprocal movement of the elevator means 201 in general axial alignment with movement of the elevator means 200. It is to be understood that any suitable means can be employed. In a preferred embodiment power means is provided to effect the reciprocating movement of the elevator means 201 and preferably the power means is a selectively extendable and retractablepneumatic ram 231 which is secured to theframework 185. Themovable rod portion 232 of theram 231 is secured to thecarriage 217 whereby extension and retraction of the ram will vertically move the elevator means 201 downwardly and upwardly, respectively. In order to guide the movement of the elevator means 201 suitable guide means is provided to cooperate with thecarriage 217. As shown, the guide means include a pair ofrollers 233 secured to eachside plate 234 of thecarriage 217. A slide or guidemember 235 is secured to theframework 185 adjacent opposite sides thereof and is in engagement with a respective pair ofrollers 233 to effect the guiding.

In order to control the various movements of the components of the storage magazine 103 a control system is provided. The following control system is a preferred form, however, it is to be understood that other arrangements of components can be made and still provide an adequatelyoperable storage magazine 103. If a different operating procedure is desired, minor variations can be made in the below-described control system to accomplish the different operations. The control system described below operates thestorage magazine 103 in the following manner with the elevator means 201 being empty and the apparatus 6 ready for operation. A stack ofblanks 12 is loaded onto theplatform 202 when same is in the down position as seen in FIG. 16. The elevator means 200 is actuated wherein the stack thereon moves upwardly and when the top blank reaches a position suitable for engagement with thefriction member 127 feeding of blanks commences. At a predetermined position of theplatform 202, thejaws 215 and 216 move to a closed or retracted position, as seen in FIG. 15, whereby the elevator means 201 continues to move the stack upwardly so that blanks can be fed therefrom by the feeding means 102. The elevator means 200 can then be lowered for refilling. After same reaches the bottom a new stack of blanks can be loaded on theplatform 202 after whichplatform 202 can be actuated to move upwardly and at a predetermined position thejaws 215 and 216 will be actuated and move to an extended position whereby the stack remaining thereon will join the top of the stack resting on theplatform 202 whereby theplatform 202 continues upward movement for maintaining a blank in a feeding position adjacent thefriction member 127. The abovedescribed process will be repeated when theplatform 202 reaches a predetermined up position as described above.

The control system for the elevator means 200 and 201 preferably is comprised of pneumatic controls for activating the various component parts in the proper sequence. In the illustrated control system, amain supply line 241 is connected to a suitable source of pressurized air 241'. A plurality ofbranch lines 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 248 are all connected to theline 241 and are adapted for providing pressurized air to various portions of the control system. All component parts of the control system of FIG. 19 are shown schematically in their normally unactuated mode and broken lines indicate pilot air lines. The locations of the control components are best seen in FIGS. 15 and 16. In the description of the control system the parts and their various functions will be described simultaneously for purposes of clarity. When pressurized air is supplied to theline 241 and the branch lines pressurized air is supplied to a four-way valve 249 through theline 244. Aline 250 is connected to one port of thevalve 249 and there is also connected to the line 250 aline 251 which in turn connects theline 250 to the pilot of avalve 252 which is a four-way valve. When pressurized air is supplied to thevalve 252 from theline 251 this pilot actuated valve will shift allowing air to flow from thepressure line 243 through the valve into theline 253, that is connected tovalve 252, and then to theram 226. Aline 254 connects the other side of theram 226 to another port of thevalve 252. When the valve is in the shifted position, theline 254 acts as a vent line for venting of air from one side of the ram through thevalve 252. This would effect extension of theram 226. Shifting of thevalve 252 in the opposite direction would reverse operation of theram 226 wherein venting would be accomplished through theline 253 and thevalve 252. Extension of theram 226 will effect movement of thejaws 215 and 216 to their retracted or closed position for supporting a stack of side walls. Pressurized air in theline 250 is also supplied to aline 258 which is connected thereto and to thepulse valve 259, theline 260, ashuttle valve 261 which will then provide pilot air through a line 262 to the pilot of a pilot-operated four-way valve 263 which will shift under the influence of the pilot air. Thepulse valve 259 is for the purpose of momentarily shiftingvalve 263. When thevalve 263 shifts, air supplied from theline 246 to thelines 264, 265 and 266 for pilot operators. Thelines 265 and 266 are connected to pilots of pilot-operated two-way valves 267 and 268, respectively. Thevalves 267 and 268 are normally closed whereby when air is supplied through thelines 265 and 266 same move to an open position so that theram 209 can return to its lower or retracted position. When theram 209 moves to its retracted position, the bottom portion of the support 203 (see FIG. 16) contacts an actuating lever of a three-way valve 272 to move thevalve 272 to an open position whereby pressurized air can be supplied from the line 247 through thevalve 272 to aline 273 and also aline 274 which is connected to normally open pressure switch 275 which can be operably connected to a light or alarm for activation of same to tell an operator that thelower elevator 200 has theplatform 202 in a position ready for filling or reloading. Theline 271 is also connected to theline 273 for supplying air to ashuttle valve 270 which is connected to thevalve 263 to return it to its original position.

A four-way valve 276 is connected in theline 245 and has a line 277 connected to one port of thevalve 276 and a port of the four-way valve 278. Aline 279 is connected to thevalve 278 and has lines 280 and 281 connected thereto with the line 281 being connected to thevalve 267 and the line 280 being connected to a normally closed two-way valve 282. Lines 284 and 285 are also connected to thevalve 278 via aline 286. The lines 284 and 285 are also connected tovalves 283 and 268, respectively, when thevalves 283 and 268 preferably being two-way normally closed pilot-operated valves. Pressurized air flows through thevalves 282 and 267 as supplied from thevalve 278 which in turn is supplied from thevalve 276 in theline 245. At this time,valves 283 and 268 are vented through thelines 284, 285 and 286 whereby with pressurized air being supplied to the normally closedvalves 282 and 267 theram 209 is urged into its retracted position and theram 231 is urged to its extended position whereby both of the elevator means 200 and 201 are in their lower position.

Three-way valve 287 is moved to a open position if the first and second arms means 109 and 110 are in position for feeding side walls. If so, pilot air is fed through thevalve 287, theline 288, a four-way valve 289 and aline 290 providing pilot air to shift three-way valve 291 to an open position thereby providing pilot air fromline 250 through thevalve 291 throughline 292,shuttle valve 293 intolines 294, 295 and 296 to thereby movevalves 283 and 282 to an open position. Sincevalve 282 is on the pressure side of theram 231, and thevalve 283 is in a vent position on the vent side of theram 231, theram 231 begins to retract with its feed being controlled by athrottle valve 298 which is connected in aline 308 between theram 231 andvalve 283. Retraction of theram 231 positions side walls for feeding by moving same into engagement with thefriction member 127.

As soon as thebottom elevator platform 202 has been reloaded by the operator, thevalve 272 being closed by engagement with theplatform 202 when same is in the down position, the operator can manually depress a three-way push-button balve 299 to initiate a quick lift by supplying pilot air through aline 300 to a pilot of a four-way valve 301. Pilot air shifts the valve so that pressurized air supplied from theline 248 through thevalve 301 into aline 302 through acheck valve 303 and into aline 304 which is connected one side of theram 209. Theline 304 also connects thevalve 268 to theram 209. This starts the lift of theplatform 202 and air is vented from the other side of theram 209 via aline 305 which is connected to aline 311 which is connected to theram 209. Theline 305 is also connected to thevalve 301, so that when same is shifted for lifting of theram 209, venting of the opposite side of theram 209 can be accomplished through thevalve 301 permitting full speed movement of theram 209 to an extended position. When the top of the stack of side walls contained on thelower platform 202 reaches and depresses a lever arm of thevalve 249, thevalve 249 preferably being mounted on thejaw member 216, the valve is shifted to provide pilot air through thelines 306 and 307, theshuttle valve 293 andlines 294, 295, and 296 to open thevalves 283 and 282 allowing thevalve 282 to vent theram 231 vialine 309 which connects thevalve 282 to one side of theram 231. Theline 308 connects thevalve 283 to theram 231 through thevalve 298 and pressurized air is supplied through thevalve 278 to thevalve 283 which are open with thevalve 278 being shifted by pilot air supplied through theline 307. This allows pressurized air to flow into one side of theram 231 to effect extension thereof which effects downward movement of the upper elevator means 201. Since thevalve 252 is a spring return valve, the shift of thevalve 249 as described above allows pilot air to flow intolines 250 and 251 wherein thevalve 252 is shifted so that pressurized air is supplied to theram 226 so same is retracted and thereby move thejaws 215 and 216 to their open position whereby the stack of side walls which were supported thereby move downwardly and join the stack of side walls carried by the lower elevator means 200.

Apilot line 310 is connected to theline 306 and also a pilot connection of thevalve 301. When pilot air is supplied through thelines 306 and 310, when thevalve 249 is shifted, thevalve 301 is reshifted to the position shown so that the air contained in the rod side of theram 209 cannot be vented through theline 305 but vents through theline 311 and anajustable throttle valve 312 connected in theline 311. The air is also vented from theline 311 through thevalve 267 and thevalve 278 which has shifted due to pilot air being supplied fromlines 306 and 307. This allows control of the upward movement speed of theram 209. While this upward movement is taking place, theram 231 automatically moves to a wait position, i.e., a fully extended position. As the combined stack of side walls moves upward via extension of theram 209, thelimit valve 287 is closed thereby providing pilot air through theline 288, thevalve 289 and theline 290 to a four-way valve 314 wherein the pilot air shifts thevalve 314. Aline 313 connects thevalve 314 to thepilot line 310 and when thevalve 314 is shifted, pilot air from theline 313 is supplied therethrough via aline 316 to theshuttle valve 270 to effect shifting of thevalve 263 which in turn provides pilot air through the line 264 to thelines 265 and 266 and thereby shift thevalves 267 and 268 to their open positions. This will effect upward movement of the lower elevator means 209 in response to the signal generated by the feeding means actuating thevalve 287 when the stack becomes too low for feeding whereby theram 209 moves upwardly to move the stack of blanks into a feeding position. As the elevator means 200 moves upwardly, the bottom of the stack of side walls moves past an actuating lever arm of thevalve 249 allowing the lever to move outward thereby shifting thevalve 249 so as to provide pilot air via thelines 250 and 251 to shift thevalve 252 so as to provide pressurized air from theline 243 through theline 253 so as to extend theram 226 and move thejaws 215 and 216 inwardly and under the stack of blanks and into thecutouts 212 and 213. When this is accomplished theram 231 has the valves controlling same shifted as described above so that same is in an operating mode for retraction thereby raising the upper elevator means 201 to move the stack of blanks supported by thejaws 215 and 216 upwardly for feeding. Also, as described above, when the ram 31 begins to retract theram 209 is placed in an operational mode for retraction thereby lowering the lower elevator means 200. When same reaches the down position thevalve 272 is moved to an open position and sets off the alarm as controlled by the valve 275 as described above signaling that the lower elevator means 200 needs reloading.

Thevalve 276 and thevalve 287 are activated or operated by movement of the arm means 109 and 110 wherein thelink 121 connecting same, as shown, has anabutment member 321 secured thereto whereby if the upper and/or lower elevator means moves too far upwardly, the lever arm of thevalve 276 will be contacted momentarily shiftingvalve 276 to provide pilot air through aline 322 through thevalve 314,line 313 and thereby shift thevalve 301 to thereby effect lowering of the lower elevator if it is in a lift operating mode. Operation of the valve also supplies pilot air through theline 322 to the line 323 through theshuttle valve 261, the line 262 in order to shiftvalve 263 so as to effect movement of thevalves 267 and 268 to their open positions so that thevalve 268 is open to vent causing the elevator to move downward in a short pulse. If the upper elevator means 201 is the one moving the stack of blanks rather than theram 209, thevalve 282 is vented momentarily through thevalve 278, the line 277 and thevalve 276 thereby allowing theram 231 to momentarily move downwardly in a pulse until the lever arm of thevalve 276 is no longer contacted by the feeding means 102.

If the arm means 109 and 110 drops to a position to contact thevalve 287 in which event the stack of blanks is too low for a proper feeding,valve 287 is shifted to an open position thereby allowing pilot air to flow through thevalve 289 to thevalves 291 and 314 to shift same to their original position momentarily. If theram 209 is in an operational mode and pressurized air is applied through thevalve 268 thereto to allow theram 209 to be momentarily supplied with pressurized air to extend theram 209 wherein same is raised until thevalve 287 is moved to a closed position. If theram 231 is in an operational mode, thevalve 282 has pressurized air supplied therethrough to retract the ram and raise the elevator until thevalve 287 is moved to its closed position. In any event, the supply of side walls during upward movement of the upper elevator diminishes until theupper elevator 201 contacts the lever arm of thevalve 289 which is mounted onwall 194 wherein same is shifted to provide pilot air fromline 242 through thevalve 287,line 288 and into a line 325 which is connected between thevalve 289 and normally closedpressure switch 326 to open an electrical circuit which is operably connected to the side wall and disc feeders of the package-forming machine to turn same off.

As described above, the blank 12 is passed throughsidewall heater 7 to heat to a suitable bonding temperature the thermoplastic coating in the side marginal portions which are to be overlapped in the formation of the sidewall into a container and, if desired, in the bottom marginal portions which is to be bonded to thebottom member 4.Turret 5 preferably is mounted for rotation about its horizontal axis and is provided with a plurality ofmandrels 9 which extend radially outwardly from said horizontal axis in a vertical plane perpendicular to said horizontal axis. Themandrels 9 are spaced apart on theturret 5 in a uniform manner. The turret rotates, stepwise, in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2, to move a bare mandrel from thebottom feeding station 3 to receive abottom member 4 and then to the horizontal position in alignment with sidewall feeder 6 to receive a heated blank 12. Eachmandrel 9 has a sidewall clamp 8 associated therewith which is in the open position, spaced apart from itsmandrel 9, at the sidewall blank receiving station to permit the heated blank 12 to be inserted between themandrel 9 and clamp 8 by feeder 6. The clamp 8 is then actuated to secure the median or intermediate portion of the heated blank 12 in position onmandrel 9, after which theturret 5 is indexed to the next position to carry the secured blank 12 andbottom member 4 to thesidewall wrapper 11. The sidewall wrapping means 11 wraps the blank 12 aroundmandrel 9 to form a convolute and to apply pressure to the overlapped heated side margins to bond the side margins, thereby forming atubular sidewall 10.

At the next indexing ofturret 5, the mandrel carrying thetubular sidewall 10 is moved from thesidewall wrapper 11 to thebottom heater 13, where the margin of the sidewall adjacent thebottom member 4 is heated bybottom heater 15 to a suitable bonding temperature. Theturret 5 is then indexed to transport themandrel 9 and theheated sidewall 10 to a bottom sealing station, where bottom forming or sealing means 14 applies pressure to the heated portions of thesidewall 10 andbottom member 4 to form the bottom seal after which same can be crimped by thebottom crimper 15.

After the bottom seal is formed, theturret 5 is indexed to transport the formedcontainer 2 to a stripping station, and the associated clamp 8 is moved to the open position to release thecontainer 2. Although any suitable mechanical stripping means can be employed, it is presently preferable to utilize pneumatic pressure applied through the mandrel to the inside of the container to eject the container from themandrel 9 into thereceptacle 17.Turret 16 is rotated stepwise about its horizontal axis to move the ejectedcontainer 2 from its initial position to a bead former 18 as described below.

Springbiased wiping blades 435 and 436, carried by foldingwing 437 and 438, respectively, contact the outer surface of sidewall blank 12 on opposite sides of the respective clamp 8 whenmandrel 9 is indexed into the sidewall wrapping station. Thefolding wings 437 and 438 are then actuated to rotate about the longitudinal axis of themandrel 9 in opposite directions at an at least substantially constant distance from the longitudinal axis of themandrel 9 to wrap the sidewall blank 12 aroundmandrel 9 with one side margin of blank 12 overlapping the opposite side margin of blank 12 to form theconvolute container sidewall 10. The leading edge ofblade 435 can be rotated in advance of the leading edge ofblade 436 by a few degrees so thatblade 435 causes the left edge portion of sidewall blank 12 to fold againstmandrel 9 beforeblade 436 folds the right edge portion of blank 12, thereby causing the right edge portion of blank 12 to overlap the left edge portion thereof. When the rotation ofblades 435 and 436 is completed, sealinghead 439 is actuated bypiston 440 ofpneumatic cylinder 441 to press the heated right edge portion of blank 12 against the heated left edge portion thereof to achieve a thermal bonding of the thermoplastic coatings and thereby form theconvoluted container sidewall 10. For sake of simplicity thecylinder 441 is shown perpendicular to sealinghead 439 and directly connected thereto. However, in a presently preferred embodiment thecylinder 441 is mounted on the frame in a stationary position approximately parallel to sealinghead 439 whenhead 439 is in the sealing position. A pivoted rocker arm mechanism, which is mounted on foldingwing 438 and operates sealinghead 439 via a spring biased plunger, rotates into position to be operated by thepiston 440 ofcylinder 441, thereby translating the motion of thepiston 440 ofcylinder 441 approximately 90° to move the sealinghead 439 against the overlapped side margins of blank 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-24, the actuation mechanism of sidewall wrapping means 11 comprises acarriage 442 which is mounted for forward and retractive motion bysleeve bearings 443 and 444 onguide rods 445 and 446 secured tohousing 447. The motion ofcarriage 442 is effected by coupling 448 which is actuated by oscillatingshaft 449,yoke 450, connectinglinkage 451 andyoke 452.Shaft 449 can be oscillated by a rotary cam in the indexing mechanism (not shown) for turret 5).Carriage 442 has afirst opening 453 therethrough extending in the direction of the reciprocating motion ofcarriage 442. Ashaft 454 is positioned in opening 453 so as to be coaxial with and axially spaced from themandrel 9 which is in the sidewall blank wrapping station ofturret 5.Opening 453 is sufficiently large in both the longitudinal and transverse directions to prevent interference betweencarriage 442 andshaft 454. Asleeve shaft 455 is mounted coaxially with and surrounding an intermediate portion ofshaft 454 by means ofbushings 456 and 457. The upper end ofshaft 454 is mounted inbushing 458 in across bar 459 which extends between opposite sides ofhousing 447. Abushing 461 is positioned betweensleeve 455 andcylindrical support wall 462 which is welded to crossbar 463 which extends between opposite sides ofhousing 447. Wrappingwing 437 is connected to the lower end ofshaft 454 byarm clamp 464, while wrappingwing 438 is connected to the lower end ofsleeve shaft 455 byarm clamp 465. Arm clamps 464 and 465 are provided with suitable means, not shown, for fixed engagement withshaft 454 andsleeve 455, respectively, such that the rotation ofshaft 454 andsleeve 455 effects the corresponding rotation of arm clamps 464 and 465. Suitable engaging means includes keys in keyways and set screws.

Carriage 442 is provided withlinear slots 468 and 467, which extend along a straight line perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating motion ofcarriage 442. One end oflever arm 468 is secured to aboutshaft 454 for rotation therewith, while a slide means, e.g., roller 469, is positioned inslot 466 and is pivotably attached to the other end oflever arm 468 byshaft 471. One end oflever arm 472 is secured aboutsleeve 455 for rotation therewith while a slide means, e.g.,roller 473, is positioned inslot 467 and is pivotably attached to the other end oflever 472 byshaft 474. Athrust bearing 475 is positioned aboutshaft 454 betweenlever 468 andbar 459, while athrust bearing 476 is positioned aboutshaft 454 betweenlever 468 andcarriage 442. Athrust washer 477 is positioned aboutshaft 454 betweencarriage 442 andsleeve 455, while athrust washer 478 is positioned aboutsleeve 455 betweenlever 472 andsupport wall 462.

Referring now to FIG. 24, wipingblade 436 is resiliently biased in the frame of rightfolding wing 438 by spring means 481, while wipingblade 435 is resiliently biased in the frame ofleft folding wing 437 by spring means 482. Whileblades 435 and 436 can be formed of any suitable material which will not damage the surface of the blank 12, e.g., nylon. In a presently preferred embodiment,blade 483 is a 1/8-inch thick flat bar nylon element having the blank contacting surface curved in the form of a semicircle having a 1/16-inch radius and mounted on asteel backup bar 484, whileblade 435 has anylon element 485 having a generally L-shaped configuration mounted on a steel backup bar 486, each leg having a thickness of approximately 1/8-inch. The long leg ofblade element 485 is at least substantially radial to the axis ofmandrel 9 while the short leg extends approximately 1/8-inch beyond the long leg in the direction of movement ofblade element 485 during the wrapping operation. Thus the leg ofblade element 485 contacting the blank 12 has a total length of approximately 1/4-inch in this particular embodiment. Also in this particular embodiment theblade element 483 is mounted along the mid-line of foldingwing 438 while theblade element 485 is mounted in foldingwing 437 offset toward the leading side of foldingwing 437, and thefolding wings 437 and 438 are mounted such that the angle between the clamp 8 and the trailing edge ofblade element 485 is at least equal to, if not slightly greater than, the angle between the clamp 8 and the mid-line ofblade element 483, such that the leading edge of L-shapedblade element 485 is several degrees in advance of the leading edge ofblade element 483, to thereby cause the side margin of blank 12 contacted byblade element 485 to fold inwardly under the opposite side margin of blank 12 contacted byblade element 483. The leading edge ofblade element 485 extends forwardly of the adjacent leading edge of foldingwing 437 to provide for clearance between foldingwing 437 and sealinghead 439 at the conclusion of the wrapping motion.

After the completion of the sealing operation, the indexing mechanism forturret 5 causesturret 5 to move themandrel 9 carrying the newly formedsidewall 10 out of the sidewall wrapping station toward the bottom heating station and themandrel 9 carrying the newly fed blank 12 to move out of the sidewall blank receiving station toward the sidewall blank wrapping station. Upon the commencement of the movement of themandrel 9 carrying thesidewall 10, oscillating shaft 499 is activated to cause wrappingwings 437 and 438 to retract from the wrapped or closed position, shown in FIG. 24, to the open position, thereby permitting themandrel 9 carrying the newly fed blank 12 to enter the sidewall blank wrapping station.

Whileslots 466 and 467 have been shown in the plate element ofcarriage 442, thecarriage 442 can be provided with any suitable means defining the first andsecond slots 466 and 467, preferably a rigidly fixed part of thecarriage 442. Whileslots 466 and 467 have been illustrated in the presently preferred position of extending along a single straight line perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating motion ofcarriage 442, theslots 446 and 467 can be positioned along separate lines which intersect the direction of reciprocating motion at angles other than 90°. However, it is still desirable that the slots be positioned such that the slide elements have a component of travel perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating motion. If desired, for ease in manufacture,slots 466 and 467 can intersect opening 453 or be in the form of a single slot when opening 453 is not employed or does not intersect the slots. The alignment ofslots 466 and 467 along a single straight line perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating motion is particularly advantageous in the machining of the slots inplate 442. While theslide elements 469 and 473 have been illustrated as rollers, any other suitable slide element could be employed. The width of the slide elements is preferably just sufficiently less than the width of the corresponding slot to permit freedom of movement of the slide element along the length of the slot, while avoiding any significant play of the slide element in a direction transverse to the slot. In a presently preferred embodiment the clearance between the slide elements and the adjacent walls of the slot is approximately 0.002 inch. The movement of the wrapping wings under the sole control of the slide members provides for the relatively smooth operation of the wrapping wings in contacting the blank 12 and wrapping the blank about themandrel 9 as compared to the slapping of the clam shell mechanisms. While theshaft 454 has been illustrated as extending throughopening 453 incarriage 442 for compactness and minimum length oflever arms 468 and 472, it is possible forshaft 454 to be positioned outside ofcarriage 442 by employinglonger lever arms 468 and 472. Whilesleeve bearing 443 has been illustrated on the underside ofplate 442 to provide clearance forlever arm 468, bothsleeve bearings 443 and 444 can be mounted on the same side ofplate 442 where clearance is not a problem.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 25 through 29, therim forming means 18 includes at least onecontainer receiving receptacle 17 which has acontainer receiving pocket 525 therein with the receptacle having a free end surface 526 which are best shown by referring to FIG. 25. The pocket is sized and shaped to suitably receive therein a partially formedcontainer 2 which while retained within thepocket 525 has the bead or rim 19 formed on the free end thereof. The end surface 526 forms a mating surface for a purpose to be later described. A tapered lead-in surface 528 extends between the mating surface 526 and the surface defining thepocket 525 and provides a lead-in to facilitate entry of the to be completedcontainer 2 into thepocket 525.

In a preferred embodiment, thereceptacle 17 is mounted on a conveying means, however, it is to be understood that means for conveying the receptacle are not necessary as acontainer 2 can be transported to a stationary receptacle in which the bead can be formed. However, it is preferred that the receptacle be movable by conveying means so as to facilitate high speed production of containers. Any suitable type of conveying means can be used and as illustrated the conveying means includes arotatable turret 16 which is mounted on theapparatus 1 and preferably has an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of theturret 5. Drive means (not shown) are operably associated with theturret 16 to effect rotation thereof preferably in a sequential manner whereby and as illustrated theturret 16 has a plurality ofreceptacles 17 mounted thereon whereby each receptacle can be moved to a desired position for different steps of the bead-forming operation. The drive means (not shown) are well known in the art and need not be further described herein and can include an indexing drive means such as an index unit made by Commercial Cams Co. of Chicago, Ill., a division of Emerson Electric Co. As best seen in FIG. 1, theturret 16 is rotatably mounted adjacent theturret 5 whereby a partiallyfinished container 2 is ejected from amandrel 9 after same is completed and into a waitingreceptacle 17 such as by using air to eject thecontainer 2. After receiving a container in the receptacle, theturret 16 can then move one step at a time until the container blank is moved to the rim forming means after which the container having the rolled rim thereon can be ejected from thereceptacle 17 such as by the use of pressurized air introduced into the receptacle 524 throughports 527.

Forming means 18 is provided for theapparatus 1 to form the rolled rim orbead 19 on the open end of thecontainer blank 2. The forming means 18 includes aring member 533 suitably movably mounted on arespective receptacle 17 and having asurface 534 which is a mating surface with the surface 526. Any suitable mounting means can be provided and as shownguide members 535 are secured to one of thering 533 orreceptacle 17 and is movable in the other of thering 533 orreceptacle 17 so as to allow relative movement therebetween and provide guides to facilitate the movement. As shown, the guides are threaded bolt-type members which are threadably engaged in threadedbores 536 in thereceptacle 17 and have bearingportions 537 slidably received through guide bores 538 through a portion of thering 533. Acounter sink 539 is coextensive with a respective bore 538 and provides a recess for a head portion of theguide 535 to be received therein wherein thehead portion 540 also acts as a stop to limit movement of thering 533.

Thering 533 has a throughbore 542 which is coaxial with the axis of thepocket 525 with thebore 542 preferably having a size slightly larger than the size of the open end of the pocket 524 and preferably a size so as to form a continuous surface with the tapered surface 528 so as to form a smooth lead-in for the closed end of thecontainer blank 2. This is best seen in FIG. 25. Also, thering 533 has anupper surface 543 which is generally parallel to thesurface 534 and faces away from thepocket 525. Positioned radially outwardly from the surface defining thebore 542 there is anannular groove portion 544 recessed within thesurface 543 for forming therim 19. Preferably, thesurfaces 543 and 534 are generally normal to the axis of thebore 542 and axis of thepocket 525.

Thering 533 is movable between an extended position as seen in FIG. 25 and a retracted position as best seen in FIG. 27 wherein thesurfaces 534 and 526 are in engagement with one another to limit the movement of thering 533. Preferably, thering 533 is biased to its extended position by resilient means which in the illustrated structure include a plurality ofresilient members 545 such as coil springs which are positioned between thering 533 and thereceptacle 17 and are preferably received withinpockets 546 and 547 which are in thering 533 andreceptacle 17, respectively, and are recessed in thesurfaces 534 and 526, respectively.

The forming means further includes a forminghead 550 which is mounted on drive means 551, best shown in FIG. 1, to effect rotation of the forminghead 550 and also movement of same between an extended and retracted position as more fully described hereinbelow. The forminghead 550 has asurface 552 with a bead forminggroove portion 553 recessed therein which cooperates with thegroove portion 544 to form a substantially enclosed bead forming groove as best seen in FIGS. 26 and 27. By substantially enclosed, it is meant that there is anopening 554 which communicates with thegroove portions 544 and 553 when the forming head is adjacent thering 533 so as to allow the wall of thecontainer 2 to enter the groove. As used herein, the extended position of the forminghead 550 is that in which it is adjacent thering 533. However, it is to be noted that the forming head is adjacent thering 533 throughout the distance which thering 533 moves from its extended position to its retracted position which is included in the extended position of the forminghead 550. This can best be seen by referring to FIGS. 26 and 27. To reduce friction between the forminghead 550 and thering 533 during rotation of the forminghead 550, bearing means is provided and in the illustrated structure the bearing means include a plurality ofrollers 556 which are rotatably mounted on the forming head as, for example, by being rotatably mounted on axles which are secured to the forming head in any suitable manner such as by threaded engagement as at 558. Therollers 556 are positioned such that they will engage thesurface 543 before thesurface 552 and 543 can engage. Anannular rib 559 projects from thesurface 552 and is positioned radially inwardly from thegroove 553 and is sized on its outer diameter to be received within thebore 542. Therib 559 has anouter surface 560 which is spaced from the surface defining the bore 542 a sufficient distance to allow the passage of the container wall therebetween so as to provide access to the groove formed by thegroove portions 544 and 553. Preferably, thesurface 560 is tapered or inclined away from thegroove 553 and the surface defining thebore 542 so as to provide a lead-in for the wall of thecontainer blank 2.

To reduce wear of the forminghead 550, particularly in thegroove 553, wear reducingmembers 561 are mounted in the forminghead 550 with each of themembers 561 having anotch 562 which corresponds in shape to thegroove 553 and preferably is slightly above flush so that the container wall will contact the surface defining thenotches 562 thereby reducing contact between thecontainer blank 2 and the groove surface so as to reduce friction therebetween. This facilitates maintenance of the forminghead 550 wherebyinexpensive wear members 561 can be replaced instead of the entire forming head. Themembers 561 are held in position in any suitable manner as, for example, by having aset screw 563 in threaded engagement with the forminghead 550 as in a threadedbore 564 which is in communication with a member receiving bore 565 whereby the set screw upon tightening will hold themember 561 in a removable manner within therespective bores 565. A plurality of themembers 561 are positioned at various positions along thegroove 553.

The drive means 551 can be of any suitable type and, as shown, has ashaft 570 which is rotatable by a power means such as an electric motor 551' (shown in FIG. 1) and can be driven as, for example, by abelt 571 andpulley 572 arrangement. This provides rotational movement of the forminghead 550. Theshaft 570 is mounted inbearings 573 which provide not only for rotational movement but also axial movement of theshaft 570. Theshaft 570 is suitably moved axially bymeans 574 which includes anarm 575 that moves amember 576 which is mounted on theshaft 570. Thearm 575 is operably connected to means such as ashaft 577 receptacle rotated from the main drive of the machine to effect the movement of same and themember 576. Means for effecting rotational and axial movement of a shaft are well known in the art and it is to be understood that any suitable type of this means can be used.

Means 580 is provided to releasably retain therings 533 in a retracted position. As shown, themeans 580 is latch means with each of the receptacles having, in the illustrated structure, alatch member 581 mounted thereon which cooperates with arespective ring 533 to releasably retain same in the retracted position. As shown, each of therings 533 has asuitable abutment 582 thereon and in the illustrated structure agroove 583 is in anexterior surface 584 of therespective ring 533 wherein theabutment 582 is a surface of thegroove 583. Thelatch 581 has anabutment 586 which is formed by one of the surfaces defining anotch 587 in one end of thelatch 581. Theabutments 582 and 586 engage one another to releasably retain the ring in its retracted position. As shown, thelatch 581 is pivotally mounted on the respective receptacle as, for example, by apivot arrangement 588 which is suitably secured to thereceptacle 17. Preferably, resilient means such as aspring 590 biases thelatch 581 to its latching position as best seen in FIG. 27. As shown, thespring 590 is received within a pocket 591 recessed in thereceptacle 17. The spring then engages thelatch 581 and by virtue of compression in thespring 590 biases the latch 5to its latching position. Referring to FIG. 29, means is provided to release thelatch 581 from its latching position and, as shown, the means includes atrip cam member 593 which is secured to a portion of theapparatus 1 and is positioned adjacent to theturret 16 and during sequential movement of theturret 16, therespective latch 581 moves by thetrip 593 and by virtue of same having aninclined surface 594 thelatch 581 is induced to pivot as same moves by thetrip 593 and thereby thelatch 581 moves out of latching engagement with thering 533. This release is just before the receptacle reaches the forminghead 550. When unlatched, thering 533 under the bias of thesprings 545 moves to its extended position and is ready for forming a bead in cooperation with the forminghead 550 and upon movement of the forminghead 550 to its extended position, thering 533 is thereby moved to its retracted position during formation of thebead 19 and thelatch 581 reengages thering 533 to retain same in its retracted position.

When thering 533 is in its extended position thegrooves 544 and 553 are complementary to aid the formation of a uniform smooth shapedbead 19 and in its retracted position, thering 533 reduces the friction on the side of the container to permit its ejection as hereinafter described.

In a preferred embodiment, a lubricating means 600 as shown in FIG. 28, is provided and is operable to lubricate the upper edge of thecontainer 2 before same has the bead formed thereon. This lubrication is desirable to facilitate formation of thebead 19. Such lubricators are known in the art and, as shown, the lubricator is positioned above thereceptacle 17 at a location ahead of the forminghead 550 so that in the dispensing position as shown, theoutlet 603 touches the edge of thecontainer blank 2. The lubrication means 600 is supported on thearm 601 attached to the frame of the machine, abracket 602 has areservoir 604 at its upper end with itsoutlet 605 communicating with thebore 606 in thebracket 602, thebore 602 has apiston 607 therein attached to thepiston rod 610 of apneumatic cylinder 609. Thepiston 607 has a throughbore 608 that in the extended position ofpiston 607 communicates with theoutlet 605 to receive lubricant fromreservoir 604 and in the retracted position dispenses lubricant to the edge ofcontainer blank 2. Thepneumatic cylinder 609 is activated by means (not shown) at each indexing movement ofturret 16.Reservoir 604 can alternately be a conduit supplying lubricant from a remote source.

It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described certain forms of our invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form and arrangement of parts as herein described and shown, except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.

Claims (8)

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for forming a container having a side wall and a bottom closure member, said apparatus including:

(a) a support;

(b) conveying means mounted on said support and being operable for conveying a mandrel from one station of the apparatus to an adjacent station of the apparatus;

(c) bottom closure forming means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for forming a bottom closure member and transferring same to said mandrel, said bottom closure forming means including:

(1) a forming die having a plurality of different sized forming areas;

(2) feed means cooperating with said forming die and being operable for feeding bottom blanks to said forming die;

(3) a plunger arrangement positioned adjacent said die and adapted to move a blank from said feed means into said die, said plunger arrangement having a plurality of different sized portions for cooperating with a respective forming area to form a plurality of sapced apart fold lines on said blank; and

(4) fourth means connected to said plunger arrangement and operable to selectively move same into said die and retract same from said die;

(d) side wall blank feeding means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for feeding a side wall blank to the mandrel carrying said bottom closure member, said side wall feeding means including:

(1) a support member;

(2) a first arm means pivotally mounted on said support member and having a free end;

(3) a second arm means pivotally mounted on said support member and spaced from said first arm means and having a free end;

(4) a first member pivotally connected to said first arm means and second arm means adjacent the respective free ends;

(5) a feed member mounted on said first arm means and movable therewith, said feed member is spaced from a portion of said first member forming a side wall blank receiving throat therebetween, said feed member being operably connected to drive means for effecting operation thereof;

(6) conveying means positioned adjacent said feed member and operable for conveying a side wall blank fed by the feed member through the throat to a point of use, said conveying means being operably connected to drive means for effecting operation thereof;

(7) a magazine for storing a plurality of side wall blanks;

(8) heating means adapted for heating side marginal portions of said side wall blank;

(e) wrapping means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for wrapping a side wall blank about a mandrel carrying same and overlapping the side marginal portions thereof and holding the side overlapped marginal portions in engagement with one another for securing same together, said wrapping means including:

(1) a clamping means associated with each of said mandrels to hold an intermediate portion of a blank therebetween;

(2) first and second folding wing means each of said first and second folding wing means having a frame, a wiping blade, and means for resiliently mounting the wiping blade in the frame for movement of the blade along the line radial to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel when said a blank wrapping position; said first and second folding wing means being positioned for the wiping blades to contact the outer surface of the thus held blank on opposite sides of said clamping means;

(3) fifth means for rotating each of said first and second folding wing means about the longitudinal axis of a said mandrel in the blank wrapping position to wrap the blank about said mandrel with one side margin of said blank overlapping the opposite side margin of said blank; and

(4) said fifth means comprising a carriage, guide means for supporting said carriage, means for effecting forward and retractive motion of said carriage in said guide means in a reciprocating manner, first and second shafts, said second shaft being a sleeve positioned coaxially with and about an intermediate portion of said first shaft, said carriage having means defining first and second slots therein extending at least generally transversely to said direction of the reciprocating motion, a first slide element positioned in said first slot in operative engagement therewith, means connecting said first slide element to said first shaft for smoothly rotating said first shaft responsive to movement of said first slide element transfer sleeve to said direction of the reciprocating motion, a second slide element positioned in said second slot in operative engagement therewith, and means connecting said second slide element to said second shaft for smoothly rotating said second shaft responsive to movement of said second slide element transversely to said direction of the reciprocating motion;

(f) container bottom forming means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for reverse bending a portion of the side wall blank over a skirt portion of the bottom closure member and moving same into engagement with one another for securing same together;

(g) bead forming means positioned adjacent portion of said conveying means and adapted for forming a bead on an edge of a partially formed container at the open end thereof, said bead forming means including:

(1) a container receiving recaptacle having an open free end with a first surface defining the free end, said receptacle having a container receiving pocket therein extending inwardly from the open free end;

(2) a ring having a through bore communicating with said pocket, said ring also having second and third surfaces with said second surface being adjacent said first surface;

(3) first means movably mounting said ring on said receptacle wherein said ring is movable between an extended position away from said receptacle and a retracted position adjacent said receptacle with said first means also biasing said ring to the extended position, said ring having an annular first groove recessed in said third surface;

(4) latch means cooperating with said ring and operable to releasably retain said ring in its retracted position;

(5) second means cooperating with said latch means for selectively releasing same from retaining said ring in its retracted position;

(6) a forming head positioned adjacent said ring and having a fourth surface with an annular second groove therein selectively cooperating with said first groove to form a substantially enclosed bead forming groove; and

(7) third means having said forming head mounted on a portion thereof, said third means being operable for rotating said forming head and for selectively moving said forming head between an extended position adjacent to and engaging said ring and a retracted position remote from said ring.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveying means includes:

(a) a first turret having a plurality of mandrels mounted thereon and extending therefrom in a generally radial direction with the said first turret being rotatably mounted on said support and rotatable about a generally horizontal axis; and

(b) a second turret having a plurality of said receptacles mounted thereon and extending in a generally radial direction with said second turret being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about a generally horizontal axis.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

(a) said mandrels each have a pocket opening generally toward said plunger arrangement and die when same is adjacent the bottom closure member forming means and adapted to receive a bottom closure member therein;

(b) ejector means in said pocket operable for selectively ejecting a bottom member therefrom;

(c) said die having first and second opposite open ends with said plurality of different sized forming areas therebetween with a larger sized first forming area being adjacent said first open end and a smaller sized second forming area being adjacent said second open end; and

(d) said plunger arrangement having first and second portions with the said second portion being movable independently of said first portion, said first portion being sized and shaped to be received in said first forming area and said second portion being sized and shaped to be received through said second forming area.

4. An apparatus for forming a container having a side wall and a bottom closure member, said apparatus including:

(a) a support;

(b) conveying means mounted on said support and being operable for conveying a mandrel from one station of the apparatus to an adjacent station of the apparatus;

(c) bottom closure forming means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for forming a bottom closure member and transferring same to said mandrel;

(d) side wall blank feeding means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for feeding a side wall blank to the mandrel carrying said bottom closure member, said side wall feeding means including:

(1) a support member;

(2) a first arm means pivotally mounted on said support member and having a free end;

(3) a second arm means pivotally mounted on said support member and spaced from said first arm means and having a free end;

(4) a first member pivotally connected to said first arm means and second arm means adjacent the respective free ends;

(5) a feed member mounted on said first arm means and movable therewith, said feed member is spaced from a portion of said first member forming a side wall blank receiving throat therebetween, said feed member being operably connected to drive means for effecting operation thereof;

(6) conveying means positioned adjacent said feed member and operable for conveying a side wall blank fed by the feed member through the throat to a point of use, said conveying means being operably connected to drive means for effecting operation thereof;

(7) a magazine for storing a plurality of side wall blanks;

(8) heating means adapted for heating side marginal portions of said side wall blank;

(e) wrapping means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for wrapping a side wall blank about a mandrel carrying same and overlapping the side marginal portions thereof and holding the side overlapped marginal portions in engagement with one another for securing same together;

(f) container bottom forming means positioned adjacent said conveying means and adapted for reverse bending a portion of the side wall blank over a skirt portion of the bottom closure member and moving same into engagement with one another for securing same together;

(g) bead forming means positioned adjacent portion of said conveying means and adapted for forming a bead on an edge of a partially formed container at the open end thereof, said bead forming means including:

(1) a container receiving recaptacle having an open free end with a first surface defining the free end, said receptacle having a container receiving pocket therein extending inwardly from the open free end;

(2) a ring having a through bore communicating with said pocket, said ring also having second and third surfaces with said second surface being adjacent said first surface;

(3) first means movably mounting said ring on said receptacle wherein said ring is movable between an extended position away from said receptacle and a retracted position adjacent said receptacle with said first means also biasing said ring to the extended position, said ring having an annular first groove recessed in said third surface;

(4) latch means cooperating with said ring and operable to releasably retain said ring in its retracted position;

(5) second means cooperating with said latch means for selectively releasing same from retaining said ring in its retracted position;

(6) a forming head positioned adjacent said ring and having a fourth surface with an annular second groove therein selectively cooperating with said first groove to form a substantially inclosed bead forming groove; and

(7) third means having said forming head mounted on a portion thereof, said third means being operable for rotating said forming head and for selectively moving said forming head between an extended position adjacent to and engaging said ring and a retracted position remote from said ring.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said conveying means includes:

(a) a first turret having a plurality of mandrels mounted thereon and extending therefrom in a generally radial direction with the said first turret being rotatably mounted on said support and rotatable about a generally horizontal axis; and

(b) a second turret having a plurality of said receptacles mounted thereon and extending in a generally radial direction with said second turret being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about a generally horizontal axis.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bottom closure member forming means includes:

(a) a forming die having a plurality of different sized forming areas;

(b) feed means cooperating with said forming die and being operable for feeding bottom blanks to said forming die;

(c) a plunger arrangement positioned adjacent said die and adapted to move a blank from said feed means into said die, said plunger arrangement having a plurality of different sized portions for cooperating with a respective forming area to form a plurality of spaced apart fold lines on said blank; and

(d) fourth means connected to said plunger arrangement and operable to selectively move same into said die and retract same from said die.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

(a) said mandrels each have a pocket opening generally toward said plunger arrangement and die when same is adjacent the bottom closure member forming means and adapted to receive a bottom closure member therein;

(b) ejector means in said pocket operable for selectively ejecting a bottom member therefrom;

(c) said die having first and second opposite open ends with said plurality of different sized forming areas therebetween with a larger sized first forming area being adjacent said first open end and a smaller sized second forming area being adjacent said second open end; and

(d) said plunger arrangement having first and second portions with the said second portion being movable independently of said first portion, said first portion being sized and shaped to be received in said first forming area and said second portion being sized and shaped to be received through said second forming area.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said wrapping means includes:

(a) a clamping means associated with each of said mandrels to hold an intermediate portion of a blank therebetween;

(b) first and second folding wing means each of said first and second folding wing means having a frame, a wiping blade, and means for resiliently mounting the wiping blade in the frame for movement of the blade along the line radial to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel when said mandrel is in the blank wrapping position; said first and second folding wing means being positioned for the wiping blades to contact the outer surface of the thus held blank on opposite sides of said clamping means;

(c) fifth means for rotating each of said first and second folding wing means about the longitudinal axis of a said mandrel in the blank wrapping position at an at least substantially constant distance from the longitudinal axis of said mandrel to wrap the blank about said mandrel with one side margin of said blank overlapping the opposite side margin of said blank, said fifth means comprising a carriage, guide means for supporting said carriage, means for effecting forward and retractive motion of said carriage in said guide means in a reciprocating manner, first and second shafts, said second shaft being a sleeve position coaxially with and about an intermediate portion of said first shaft, said carriage having means defining first and second slots therein extending at least generally transversely to said direction of the reciprocating motion, a first slide element positioned in said first slot in operative engagement therewith, means connecting said first slide element to said first shaft for smoothly rotating said first shaft responsive to movement of said first slide element transfer sleeve to said direction of the reciprocating motion, a second slide element positioned in said second slot in operative engagement therewith, and means connecting said second slide element to said second shaft for smoothly rotating said second shaft responsive to movement of said second slide element transversely to said direction of the reciprocating motion; and

(d) sixth means for sealing the thus overlapped side margins to thereby form a convoluted tubular side wall.

Images